Burrito Pie {Freezer Meal}

So I’ve been in this Freezer Club for 6 years with some of my besties. We strive to cook freezer meals made with mostly local, organic meats and produce, while also avoiding foods with preservatives and additives. We try to balance that value with making things our families will like.

When our friend, Darcie, first delivered Burrito Pie to us years ago, our friend, Devin, reported at the next Freezer Club meeting, “We ate the crap out of that!” From then on, when one of us made Burrito Pie, it typically had “eat the crap out of this” written as part of the instructions on top.

It’s true. Burrito Pie is one of those comfort meals that it’s hard to stop on.

To make this type of casserole healthier, try to find whole grain tortillas and refried beans with no shortening (which means trans fats) or preservatives. Trader Joes is my go-to place for these items. When making a recipe that requires several canned food items (which are so convenient at times!), be sure to look for BPA-free cans. Our health food store carries several safe brands–Eden Organics and Muir Glen are just a few, but if you aren’t sure ask an employee. Bottom line when buying convenience items like tortillas and canned food: Read the label and buy the ones in which you recognize the ingredients! This is harder than you may think, unfortunately.

Here’s to hoping you don’t “eat the crap out of” Burrito Pie too much!

What kind of containers do you store freezer meals like this in?

We recommend using a BPA-free container or dish. While it may be easier to buy the disposable Glad ovenware containers, it really makes sense to stock up on some quality, safe dishes that you can bake AND store in.

Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

Burrito Pie Recipe

Refried beans, taco meat, veggies, and sauce are layered between whole wheat tortillas for a hearty and tasty meal for the entire family.

Yield: one 9x13 casserole or two 8×8 casseroles 1x

Prep: 20 minutesCook: 30 minutesTotal: 50 minutes

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Scale: 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 2 lbs lean ground beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles, drained
• 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 (16 ounce) cans refried beans (organic or one with no trans fat, preservatives, or additives)
• 12 (8 inch) whole wheat flour tortillas
• 1 (16 ounce) jar red enchilada sauce (homemade, organic or one with no preservatives or additives)
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, saute the ground beef for 5 minutes. Add the onion and garlic, and saute until onions are translucent (about 5 more minutes). Drain any excess fat, if desired. Mix in the green chile peppers, tomatoes, and enchilada sauce. Stir mixture thoroughly, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. While meat mixture simmers, spread a thin layer of refried beans on one side of each tortilla. Set aside.
4. In the bottom of the casserole dish(es), spread a thin layer of the meat mixture. Cover with a layer of tortillas that have been smeared with the refried beans, followed by more meat mixture, and then a layer of cheese. Repeat tortilla with refried beans, meat, and cheese pattern until all the tortillas are used up. Top off the casserole with a layer of meat mixture and cheese.
5. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheese is slightly brown and bubbly.

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Notes/Tips

Freezer Meal Instructions:
To Freeze:
Prepare all layers of burrito pie as stated in recipe. Cover with plastic wrap and foil and place in freezer-safe container. Store for up to 3 months.
To Prepare:
Thaw for approximately 24 hours in the refrigerator. Bake as directed in recipe. If cooking directly from frozen state, cover with foil and increase baking time by 30-45 minutes. So total baking time will be about 1 hour, but check for the casserole to be brown on top and bubbly. Remove foil the last 10-15 minutes of baking, so the top can brown.

ht: Darcie for the original recipe!

© Author: Thriving Home

Cuisine: Mexican Method: Baked